Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-01
UNITED PREsBYTERIANS.
Victory in Favor of InStruHeHtat
Music In Churches.

my Telegraph 70 the DiSpath.l
PHILADELPHIA. May 3l.-Tbe question o!
instrumental music in churches vii not
stay settled i'm the General Assembly Of
the United Presbyterian Church. IL came
up again to-day in the discussion OF the
report OF the General Committee on Home
Missions. In The course OF the discussion
on the report general charges OF unfaith-
iuluess upon the part 81 missionaries
were made by the Rev. ;. Ken
nedy, creating something OF a sen.
sation. The burden OF his compliant
was that they had used instrumental music
in their services ain disObedience," he
added, sol Christ. so long as uninspired
melody is used" he continued, "the
Church will not contribute 10 the home mis-
Sions." A somewhat animated deblte fol.
lowed, and in brief defence OF the report
Rev. j. X. McCallIster, Of Massachusetts,
made hight OF KeDnedy's charges and de-
cared be was "tired OF this waving OF the
bloody shirt"
10 bring the point formally before the
assembly Rev. j. q. Carson, seconded by
Rev. George c. Vincent, presented this
proposition:
RCSOiUcd, That no part Of the money APP
pTopriated in this report shall be expended
in any congregation which Is known TO use
Instruments of music in connection with
the worship OF God.
The yeas and nays were called for on this
resolution, the result being decisive vic
tory for the advocates OF instrumental
music The resolution was Oyerwbelm.
ingly defeated, the vote for instrumental
music being l22 against IS.
Later on, when other business was under
consideration, Rev. James Brown revived
the music issue by asking. Gam right in
understanding that the rejection OF DR..
CarSOn's resolution means that the cOrrup-
ton OF and innovation on the worship OF
Goa in miSSiOn-wOrk by the Use OF instru-
uentS OF music is 10 be continued al
pleasure by the bOard?"
"The rejection OF the resolution an
ewerCd Moderator Gibson, "meanS that
tins assembly declines to impose upon the
board any additional rules. They now
have ample regulations on the subject, and
by it, action to-day the assembly declines
10 add any MORE"
The explanation did not seem TO satisfy
Rev. Mr.. Brown, and he was disposed to
complain. al can't see that the situation
has been improved" he said; "there i,
nothing TO prevent the continued use Of
instrumental music"
As no one seemed disposed TO further
argue the pointthe subiect was dropped.
Church extension was discussed at some
length, and the report on that subject wls
fayorably acted upon. In this connection
Rev. Or. Carson found opportunity to say
that he desired It TO be recorded that his
views on the matter OF home missions with
regard TO instrumental music applied j.
well TO churo h-eXtcnsiOn work He could
not cOnscieptiOusy contribute to that work
If instrumental music was used in the
churches erected by the extension fund.-.
Or. Carson read protest which he de-
sired to have entered against the action OF
the assembly in granting appropriations II
persons and churches where instrumental
music Is used. Several OF the members sig
nrfed their intention Of signing the pro-
test. h1lA